When comparing Lightspeed vs SumUp, you’re looking at two distinct approaches to multi-industry point-of-sale technology. Lightspeed, rated 4.4/5, offers Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers. Meanwhile, SumUp, rated 4.3/5, provides Small businesses and mobile sellers. Let’s dive into the details to help you make an informed decision.
Quick Comparison: Lightspeed vs SumUp
| Feature | Lightspeed | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | $89/month (Lean plan) | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Rating | 4.4/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Target Business | Mid-Market | Small Business |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Free Trial | Yes | No |
| Free Version | No | No |
| Best For | Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers | Small businesses and mobile sellers |
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
SumUp Overview
SumUp provides mobile payment solutions and card readers for small businesses. Features simple pricing, no monthly fees, and easy setup for accepting card payments on the go.
SumUp is offered by SumUp (founded 2012) based in London, UK. The system focuses on Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
Key Features:
- Card Reader
- Mobile Payments
- Invoicing
- Payment Links
- Reporting
- No Monthly Fees
Feature Comparison
Lightspeed Features:
- Advanced inventory
- Multi-location support
- Omnichannel selling
- B2B capabilities
- Purchase orders
SumUp Features:
- Card Reader
- Mobile Payments
- Invoicing
- Payment Links
- Reporting
When comparing features, Lightspeed stands out with Best-in-class inventory, while SumUp differentiates itself with No monthly fees. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Lightspeed | SumUp |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $89/month (Lean plan) | $39 (reader) + 2.75% per transaction |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Transaction-based |
| Price Range | Premium | Budget |
| Free Trial | Available | Not available |
| Free Version | No | No |
SumUp is more budget-friendly, making it a better choice for cost-conscious businesses. 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
SumUp
Pros:
- No monthly fees
- Simple flat-rate pricing
- Easy setup
- Portable
Cons:
- Higher per-transaction rate
- Limited POS features
- Basic reporting
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 SumUp?
SumUp is ideal for Small businesses and mobile sellers. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Service, Mobile Businesses.
However, SumUp may not be the best fit for High-volume businesses where percentage fees add up.
Our Recommendation
Both Lightspeed and SumUp 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 SumUp if you’re Small businesses and mobile sellers. Lightspeed has a higher user rating (4.4 vs 4.3). We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.