Choosing between Square and Lightspeed for your business? Both are popular multi-industry solutions, but they serve different needs. Square starts at Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) and is All-in-one payment and business management platform, while Lightspeed starts at $89/month (Lean plan) and is Advanced cloud POS for retail and hospitality with strong eCommerce. This comprehensive comparison will help you decide which POS system is the right fit for your operation.
Quick Comparison: Square vs Lightspeed
| Feature | Square | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Multi-Industry | Multi-Industry |
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $89/month (Lean plan) |
| Rating | 4.7/5 | 4.4/5 |
| Target Business | Small Business | Mid-Market |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Free Trial | No | Yes |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
| Best For | Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups | Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers |
Square Overview
Square is a comprehensive payment and point-of-sale platform that helps businesses of all sizes accept payments, manage inventory, and grow their business. Known for its iconic card reader and user-friendly interface.
Square is offered by Block, Inc. (formerly Square, Inc.) (founded 2009) based in San Francisco, CA. The system focuses on Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
Key Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
- Online ordering
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
Feature Comparison
Square Features:
- Free POS app
- Inventory management
- Employee management
- Customer directory
- Analytics dashboard
Lightspeed Features:
- Advanced inventory
- Multi-location support
- Omnichannel selling
- B2B capabilities
- Purchase orders
When comparing features, Square stands out with No monthly fees, while Lightspeed differentiates itself with Best-in-class inventory. Your choice should depend on which features align better with your specific business requirements.
Pricing Comparison
| Pricing Aspect | Square | Lightspeed |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | Free (2.6% + 10¢ per transaction) | $89/month (Lean plan) |
| Pricing Model | Freemium | Subscription |
| Price Range | Budget | Premium |
| Free Trial | Not available | Available |
| Free Version | Yes | No |
Square 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
Square
Pros:
- No monthly fees for basic plan
- Easy setup and use
- Excellent mobile app
- Strong ecosystem of add-ons
- Transparent pricing
Cons:
- Transaction fees can add up
- Limited customization
- Account stability concerns for high-risk businesses
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
Who Should Choose Square?
Square is ideal for Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. The system is particularly well-suited for Retail, Restaurants, Services, Appointments.
However, Square may not be the best fit for Large enterprises needing deep customization.
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.
Our Recommendation
Both Square and Lightspeed are solid POS solutions, but they excel in different areas. Choose Square if you’re Small retail shops, food trucks, service businesses, and startups. Choose Lightspeed if you’re Growing retailers with complex inventory, multi-location businesses, omnichannel sellers. Square has a higher user rating (4.7 vs 4.4). Also, choose Square if you want to start with a free version. We recommend trying demos or free trials of both systems before making your final decision.