In the battle of Lightspeed versus Epicor, both systems bring unique strengths to the table. Lightspeed is particularly strong for Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers, while Epicor excels at Large enterprises with complex needs. Whether you prioritize Best-in-class inventory or Enterprise depth, this comparison covers everything you need to know.
Quick Comparison: Lightspeed vs Epicor
| Feature | Lightspeed | Epicor |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $89/month (Lean plan) | Contact for pricing |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 3.9/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Mid-Market to Enterprise |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers | Large enterprises with complex needs |
Lightspeed Overview
Lightspeed is a cloud-based commerce platform providing POS, eCommerce, and payment solutions for retail and hospitality businesses. Known for advanced inventory management and omnichannel capabilities.
Lightspeed is offered by Lightspeed Commerce Inc. (founded 2005) based in Montreal, Canada. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Golf courses, Hotels.
Key Features:
- Advanced inventory
- Multi-location support
- Omnichannel selling
- B2B capabilities
- Purchase orders
- Vendor management
Epicor Overview
Epicor provides enterprise software including retail POS, ERP, and supply chain solutions. Serves manufacturing, distribution, retail, and hospitality industries.
Epicor is offered by Epicor Software (founded 1972) based in Austin, TX. The system focuses on Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail.
Key Features:
- ERP
- Retail POS
- Supply Chain
- Manufacturing
- Financial Management
- BI & Analytics
Feature Comparison
Lightspeed Features:
- Advanced inventory
- Multi-location support
- Omnichannel selling
- B2B capabilities
- Purchase orders
Epicor Features:
- ERP
- Retail POS
- Supply Chain
- Manufacturing
- Financial Management
When comparing features, Lightspeed stands out with Best-in-class inventory, while Epicor differentiates itself with Enterprise depth. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lightspeed | Epicor |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month (Lean plan) | Contact for pricing |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Quote-based |
| Price Range | Premium | Premium |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
Both systems offer competitive pricing for their respective feature sets. Consider the total cost of ownership including hardware, processing fees, and add-on modules when making your decision.
Pros and Cons
Lightspeed
Pros:
- Powerful inventory management
- Excellent for multi-location
- Strong eCommerce integration
- Good for complex catalogs
- Built-in B2B features
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Learning curve
- Some features require higher tiers
- Contract requirements
Epicor
Pros:
- Enterprise scale
- Industry-specific solutions
- Deep functionality
- Global presence
Cons:
- Complex implementation
- High cost
- Requires dedicated IT
Who Should Choose Lightspeed?
Lightspeed is ideal for Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Golf courses, Hotels.
However, Lightspeed may not be the best fit for Very small businesses or those on tight budgets.
Who Should Choose Epicor?
Epicor is ideal for Large enterprises with complex needs. The system is particularly well-suited for Manufacturing, Distribution, Retail.
However, Epicor may not be the best fit for Small businesses wanting simple POS.
Our Recommendation
Both Lightspeed and Epicor are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Lightspeed if you’re Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers. Choose Epicor if you’re Large enterprises with complex needs. Lightspeed has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 3.9). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.