Lightspeed Retail vs WooPOS

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.

Owner Operator

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

Sales Assistant

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

Sr. Analyst

There support mechanism is second to none. If you look your question up in help, there will be documentation to answer your question, and chances are there is a video that walks you step by step through the solution. If you feel like you want to get live help, there chat mechanism is one of the best, better yet, the support people on the chat are the most patient and knowledgeable support people in the business.

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 cited by reviewers is as a retail POS system (61% of reviewers).

Users and use cases

Some reviewers find Lightspeed Retail offers competitive pricing for its features, and they appreciate the free trial and occasional discounts. However, users report extra fees for add-ons, frustration with pricing changes, and concerns about unclear total costs.

Value for money

Lightspeed Retail is a retail POS system with key features that include inventory management, sales reporting, payment processing, and more.

Lightspeed Retail

Web-based

Windows

iPad

Linux

Chromebook

Square Point of Sale

Clover

Shopify POS

Toast POS

WooCommerce

Odoo 

Rain POS

Basic

Core

Plus

Receipt and printer limitations

60% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s receipt printing and hardware compatibility. Users say the system often wastes paper by printing unnecessary receipts and requires specific, expensive printers and accessories. Some reviewers report connectivity issues, difficulty setting up printers, and problems with barcode scanners. They mention that switching between different printing tasks is cumbersome and that certain regulatory or customization needs for receipts are hard to meet. Users feel these limitations add unnecessary cost and complexity.

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.

75% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s contract and refund policies. Some users report challenges with canceling contracts, obtaining refunds, and dealing with unexpected rate increases. Reviewers indicate frustration with misleading sales promises, rigid long-term agreements, and slow or unhelpful responses when trying to resolve disputes. They say the process for breaking contracts or returning hardware is often complicated, and some feel trapped in unfavorable terms even when the product does not meet their needs.

Slow and ineffective phone support

56% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s phone support. Some users report long wait times, difficulty reaching knowledgeable staff, and unreturned calls or emails. Reviewers indicate that support staff often lack the expertise to resolve complex issues and that escalation processes are slow or unresponsive. They say getting help for urgent problems can be frustrating, with some feeling that management is inaccessible and that communication is inconsistent. Users find the overall support experience lacking when they need timely assistance.

Payment processing frustrations

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.

68% of reviewers feel negative about Lightspeed’s payment processing. Users mention limited processor options, frequent technical issues with card readers, and forced migration to Lightspeed’s own payment system. Some reviewers say they experience delays, failed transactions, and high fees compared to other providers. They express frustration with inflexible invoicing, difficulty reconciling payments, and additional charges for not using Lightspeed’s payment services. Reviewers also note that outages can disrupt business and inconvenience customers.

Recurring technical problems

67% of reviewers feel negative about bugs and technical issues in Lightspeed. Some users report frequent glitches, slowdowns, and system crashes that disrupt operations. Reviewers indicate problems with inventory accuracy, unreliable reporting, and laggy performance, especially with large databases. They mention that updates sometimes introduce new issues and that support for resolving bugs can be slow or ineffective. Users say these recurring problems create stress and uncertainty during busy business hours.

Centralized multi-store management

89% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s support for multiple locations. Users think the software makes it easy to manage inventory, sales, and staff across several stores from a single platform. Some reviewers report that transferring inventory, viewing stock levels, and processing transactions between locations is straightforward. They appreciate the centralized control and flexibility, which helps them expand their business and maintain consistency across all sites. Reviewers also mention that onboarding new locations is seamless.

Intuitive system navigation

88% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s navigation. Reviewers indicate that the interface is clean, modern, and easy to understand, making it simple to find features and complete tasks. Some users say even less tech-savvy staff can navigate the system without difficulty. They appreciate that menus are logically organized, training is quick, and the overall design reduces confusion. Users also note that the intuitive navigation helps them save time and improves workflow efficiency.

Remote access and flexibility

93% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s cloud-based system. Users indicate that being able to access their POS from any device with internet is a major benefit, allowing them to manage their business remotely. Some reviewers say they value not having to worry about manual backups or data loss, and they find it convenient to check reports or perform administrative tasks from anywhere. They appreciate the real-time syncing of data and the ability to devote IT resources elsewhere due to the cloud infrastructure.

Comprehensive feature set

87% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s features. Users appreciate the wide range of built-in tools that support various business needs, from analytics to inventory management. Some reviewers mention that the platform is customizable and regularly updated with new features based on user feedback. They value having essential functions integrated in one system, reducing the need for multiple add-ons. Reviewers also say the depth and flexibility of features help them tailor the software to their specific business requirements.

Everyday simplicity for users

94% of reviewers feel positive about Lightspeed’s ease of use. Reviewers appreciate that the system is intuitive and straightforward, making daily operations and onboarding new staff much simpler. Some users say they can quickly adapt to the platform, even without prior POS experience. They find that switching from previous systems is hassle-free and that managing products, checking in on business performance, and handling transactions are all streamlined. Some reviewers feel the user-friendly design reduces training time and helps them focus more on running their business efficiently.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.  

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

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

Note they only give you 18 days to pay for the penalty invoices before suspending service.

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

owner

Cancelled subscription and then could not get a call back for hardware return.

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.

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

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.

Demands additional software to integrate with Woo, Amazon, and Shipstation. Where is support?

Ease of implementation Multi location abilityPortabilityLinks to e-commerce optionAbility to use multiple terminals to access data and input sales/work orders/purchase orders etc over cloud

I have even reached out to our account manager (the 3rd one we have had) to try and see if there is something else we can do, even avoid the app all together and pay for a new wired system (since ours isn't working) and I have been on a wild goose chase just to speak to "our new rep" who I have no idea how to contact now since the email I was given doesn't work.

There is a newsletter that alerts us to new features and interests.

Store Manager

the amazing POS and Inventory management offered from Lightspeed.

Lightspeed Retail vs WooPOS Comparison (2026)

Lightspeed Retail

WooPOS

Overview

Video & Screenshots

Pricing

User reviews

Key features

Integrations

Alternatives