Lightspeed Retail vs Tailor Brands

Epos Now

Shopify

PayPal

Epos Now is a leading global cloud-based point-of-sale and payment system that specializes in helping US retail and hospitality businesses trade efficiently.

Thanks to a selection of tools, and an extensive app store, users can create bespoke systems that make running a business simple.

Shopify is a commerce platform that allows anyone to easily sell online, at a retail location, and everywhere in between

PayPal provides an end-to-end suite of tools that can integrate with a business's existing systems and service providers. Its network of shoppers and businesses provides AI-driven data insights to help businesses reach new customers and drive results.

Sales

Customer support is nonexistent. When using the chat, we are only passed along articles that have nothing to do with the questions and or concerns we have.

Owner Operator

Anytime we needed real answers, we were ghosted by not only their support team, but our actual account managers.

Pres

months to get a response from the tech side (I wish I was exaggerating).

Lightspeed is a unified point of sale and payments platform designed for retail, restaurant, and golf course businesses. The software offers inventory management, omnichannel sales capabilities, real-time reporting, and integrated payment processing. It includes features such as cloud-based operations, API connectivity for third-party integrations, wholesale buying tools, and multilocation support for businesses operating across multiple sites.

Access Controls/Permissions

Accounting

Accounting Integration

Activity Dashboard

Barcode Printing

Barcode Recognition

Barcode/Ticket Scanning

Barcoding/RFID

Billing & Invoicing

Cash Management

Catalog Management

Channel Management

Check-in/Check-out

Clock In/Out

Consignments

Content Management

Cost Tracking

Credit Card Processing

Customer Accounts

Customer Database

Customer History

Customer Management

Customer Segmentation

Customizable Branding

Customizable Fields

Customizable Reports

Customization

Data Import/Export

Data Synchronization

Discount Management

eCommerce Management

Electronic Payments

Email Marketing

Employee Management

For Bakeries

For iPad Devices

For Jewelry Stores

For Liquor Stores

For Retail

For Small Businesses

Gift Card Management

Inventory Auditing

Inventory Control

Inventory Management

Inventory Optimization

Inventory Replenishment

Inventory Tracking

IoT Integration

Item Management

Kitting

Layaway Management

Loyalty Program

Mail Order

Marketing Automation

Marketplace Integration

Merchandise Management

Mobile Access

Mobile Commerce

Multi-Channel Marketing

Multi-Location

Multi-Store

Order Entry

Ordering Automation

Order Management

Order Processing

Order Tracking

Payment Processing

Point of Sale (POS)

Price/Margin Management

Pricing Management

Product Catalog

Product Configurator

Product Identification

Product Management

Promotions Management

Purchase Order Management

Purchasing & Receiving

Real-Time Analytics

Real-Time Data

Real-Time Monitoring

Real-Time Reporting

Remote Access/Control

Reordering

Reorder Management

Repair Tracking

Reporting/Analytics

Reporting & Statistics

Retail Inventory Management

Retail Management

Retail POS

Returns Management

Returns Tracking

Sales History

Sales Management

Sales Order Management

Sales Reports

Sales Tax Management

Search/Filter

By industry, Lightspeed Retail reviewers are most commonly professionals in retail (48%). The most frequent use case for Lightspeed Retail is as a retail POS system (61% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers find Lightspeed Retail offers good value for money, appreciating its competitive pricing, included features, and discounts. However, some users report unexpected price increases, costly add-ons, and unclear pricing structures that can reduce overall value.

Value for money

Lightspeed Retail is a retail POS system offering key features such as inventory management, sales reports, and payment processing, among others.

Lightspeed Retail

Web-based

Windows

iPad

Linux

Chromebook

Square Point of Sale

Clover

Shopify POS

WooCommerce

Odoo 

Rain POS

Basic

Core

Plus

Receipt and printer frustrations

60% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s receipt printing and printer compatibility. Users report problems with mandatory receipt printing to open cash drawers, resulting in wasted paper and inefficiency. Reviewers mention limited printer compatibility, requiring expensive or specific brands, and frequent connectivity issues. Some users say printer setup is complicated, and switching between printers or printing labels is cumbersome. Many express frustration with slow receipt printing, rigid default settings, and the inability to use existing hardware.

Difficult contracts and refunds

Owner

I called and spoke with a rep asking for a refund, it took a month for a response and the email was generic with no explanation for declining my request for refund.

Director

After cancelling my account 5 months ago, they continue to deduct funds from my account despite receiving email confirmation that my account had been cancelled.

76% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s contract and refund policies. Users report frustration with rigid long-term contracts, unexpected rate increases, and challenges when trying to cancel or modify agreements. Reviewers say refunds are often denied or delayed, even when the product does not meet expectations or promised features are missing. Many mention feeling misled during the sales process and describe difficulty reaching support for resolution. Some users express concern over being locked into unfavorable terms and losing significant funds.

Long waits for phone support

56% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s phone support. Users report long wait times to reach support staff, difficulty getting callbacks, and inconsistent responses to urgent issues. Reviewers say it is challenging to speak with knowledgeable representatives, and escalation often leads to further delays. Some users mention that support is limited to one phone number, and email or chat alternatives are similarly slow. Many express frustration with the lack of proactive follow-up and the time required to resolve problems.

Restrictive payment processing

Support is limited to non existent and the account manager's primary objective to sell you their services, and if this is not accepted, they will pressurise you to take the services regardless by way of charging you £335 per month as penalty.

Manager

Limited options for payment processing, having to go with a non integrated payment was frustrating, and we were also limited with payment processing options for our eCommerce site.

69% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s payment processing. Users report being pressured to use Lightspeed’s own payment services, often facing extra fees or penalties if they choose alternative providers. Reviewers mention limited integration options, frequent technical issues with card readers, and delays in processing payments. Some users say fee structures are unclear or unexpectedly high, and they find it inconvenient to manage deposits or reconcile transactions. Many express dissatisfaction with the lack of flexibility and transparency in payment processing.

Frequent technical glitches

68% of reviewers feel negative about recurring bugs and technical issues in Lightspeed. Users report problems such as system crashes, slow performance, inventory inaccuracies, and unreliable reporting. Reviewers say these glitches disrupt daily operations, especially during busy periods, and express frustration with slow or ineffective responses to bug reports. Some users mention that larger databases exacerbate performance problems, and ongoing unresolved issues can impact business reliability. Many feel that promised fixes are delayed or not delivered.

Efficient multi-store management

89% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s support for multiple locations. Reviewers indicate the system simplifies managing inventory, sales, and orders across several stores. Users appreciate being able to transfer inventory between locations, view consolidated data, and coordinate operations from a central platform. They find it easy to expand to new locations and mention that the software adapts as their business grows. Some users say the multi-store features save time and reduce errors, making business scaling more manageable.

Streamlined system navigation

90% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s navigation. Users say the interface is clean, intuitive, and easy to move through, even for team members with limited technical skills. Reviewers appreciate that menus and features are logically organized, making it quick to find information or complete tasks. They find that training new employees is faster due to the straightforward layout, and they value how the navigation supports efficient workflows. Some users report that even complex functions are accessible without confusion or unnecessary steps.

Remote business management

93% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s cloud-based system. Users appreciate being able to access their POS and business data from any device with internet access, allowing them to work remotely or check reports while away. Reviewers say they no longer worry about data backups or hardware limitations, and they value the flexibility to manage administrative tasks from anywhere. Some users mention that cloud access enables real-time updates and seamless cross-platform integration, which they find beneficial for both daily operations and long-term business growth.

Comprehensive feature set

87% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s features. Users report the platform offers a wide range of tools that cover daily operations, analytics, customer management, and eCommerce. Reviewers appreciate frequent updates and new features that address evolving business needs. They find the system customizable to specific workflows and mention that many functions are integrated, reducing the need for additional apps. Some users highlight the analytics and back-office capabilities as particularly valuable for gaining business insights and improving efficiency.

Intuitive everyday operations

93% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s ease of use. Reviewers indicate the system is straightforward to learn, even for those with no prior POS experience. They find daily functions simple to manage and appreciate how quickly new staff can adapt. Users say routine tasks like product management and checkouts are uncomplicated, and they value how the software streamlines business operations. Some users report that switching from other systems was smooth, and they consistently mention that Lightspeed makes running their business less stressful and more efficient.

co owner

After explaining the situation and providing written proof of what had been promised to me, [sensitive content hidden] assured me that the fee would be credited back to my account and that it wouldn’t be charged again until the end of my subscription term in May. If we don’t sign up with them for credit card processing before May, they will continue to charge us $ 930 per month for not processing with them. While the issue was eventually resolved as far as crediting us the $ 930, (after significant delays and frustration), the experience left a bad taste.

I’m now out over $2,000 for IT fees, paying more than $300 per month for a service that wasn’t what I was promised, and I’m now looking for a new POS system, because we do not want to process with them because of the bad reputation that they have with the credit card processing.  

Long wait time for customer support, and we were lied to by not being transparent about credit card fees for not processing with Lightspeed

I have already ordered hardware for a new POS system and will be discontinuing use of Shopkeep by Lightspeed, despite having almost a full year of prepaid service remaining.

This issue, which we were told many times is so easily fixed, took 3 months to fix, causing a whole lot of stress in our business & personal lives.

A sudden "policy change" and now we're getting a additional $400 per month charge on top of our subscription fee until we switch to their merchant card service.  

I have spent hours on chat and phone support, trying to come up with a solution to an outdated machine that does not connect/stay connected.

After spending over $2,000 in IT fees for setup and two months of onboarding, we finally went live on [sensitive content hidden].

Admin

I also had to get a separate plugin (from a 3rd-party) in order to fully get my POS and website to sync.

Administrator

It’s gives you a report graph to compair sales in whatever period or in categories.

Customer service was virtually non existent & felt like they were intentionally trying to lose me as a customer towards the end.

I immediately reached out to my sales rep, [sensitive content hidden], through phone calls and text messages.

Helpful that the platform can also be used for inventory management and restock levels can be set.

We've had transactions completely disappear after the customer already left, thus losing not an insignificant amount of money.

Sales Assistant

The system’s ability to handle multiple payment methods is also a big plus.

Lied to from the start and now will not return my email with a request for refund after proof (emails saved) were sent.

One area is that purchase orders need to show the SKU of the items.

The system can sometimes be slow, especially during busy times, which can frustrate customers.

Hundreds of hours wasted and no one will return my email with a request for refund....

Business Operations Supervisor

I like how easy it is to pull data on Lightspeed Back office and how easy it is to have it communicate to your POS device.

By Wednesday, I had to escalate the issue, and a manager named [sensitive content hidden] called me back.

Helps speed up transactions and reduce errors.

Yesterday I waited in the phone queue for over an hour, waiting for customer support.

It has a great back office feature and connects to the POS system very well.

Store Manager

the amazing POS and Inventory management offered from Lightspeed.

This was an amazing system until they showed their true colors by forcing me (and others) to pay them $400 more a month if you don't use their payment system.

This adds a lot of manual effort when reconciling.

Canceled my account and asked for a refund for the card reader and the subscription fee for the month we couldn’t process anything through them (Square stepped in and took care of us).

The down time when their service fails on their end.

To then be advised that if we don't use their card processing servicing, we could face charges of up to £500 per month is astounding and unethical.

We cannot get in touch with a real person and have to resolve everything via chat and email and they do not address the question you asked because they don't know how.  

One that is non-negotiable nor a work around available.  

Light speed offers some of the best Retail software on the market.

owner

Less than a month in and we have no working POS systems. When I reached out to cancel my contract they threatened me with a $4k fine for breaking contract.

Co-owner

As of May, they billed us for $516 (we terminated on the 7th day of our free trial via multiple emails and a phone call) and then signed an affidavit with our bank that we have a contract so they could use our new debit card info for auto-billing.  

Lightspeed Retail vs Tailor Brands Comparison (2026)

Lightspeed Retail

Tailor Brands

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives